Through interception work, Colombian National Army impacts again the illicit activities of organized armed groups, through the controlled destruction of two constructions specialized in the production of illegal drugs. These structures had been designed to produce up to two tons of narcotics per month.
Within the framework of military operations against drug trafficking, troops of the Command Against Drug Trafficking and Transnational Threats (CONAT), in coordination with the National Police, found two laboratories for the production of cocaine hydrochloride in the department of Norte de Santander, consisting of seven structures.
The finding of these coca-growing complexes was made possible through two military operations. The first, carried out in the village of Balsamia, municipality of Sardinata, which led to hitting the illicit finances of the organized armed group (GAO) ELN, Juan Fernando Porras Martinez Front, in more than 2309 million pesos. 250 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, 429 gallons of coca base and cocaine in suspension, 1571 gallons of acetone, 245 kilograms of calcium chloride, 187 gallons of petroleum and 150 kilograms of activated charcoal were found by troops at the scene. These precursors were found by troops in a laboratory composed of five structures.
The second operation was carried out in the Loma de Santa Rosa sector, in San José de Cúcuta, where another laboratory was found with two structures, allegedly belonging to the Reinaldo Ardila Gómez Urban Front, of the GAO ELN. 215 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, 252 gallons of cocaine in suspension and 730 gallons of acetone were found by troops there. This illegal construction was valued at 2768 million pesos.
According to intelligence information, both structures had a monthly production capacity of two tons of drugs, which would presumably be marketed in Central American and European countries.
Thanks to this military operation, the circulation of approximately 465,000 doses of cocaine was prevented.
Source: Press – National Army
